17 4th of July Mains Worth Firing Up the Grill for All Afternoon

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A 4th of July cookout feels bigger when the grill, smoker, or griddle keeps working past the first round of food. These 17 mains focus on recipes that can anchor an outdoor meal, from smoked chicken legs and wings to steaks, burgers, sausage, skewers, and al pastor. The mix includes quick griddle burgers, longer smoked meats, and marinated chicken, so the table can keep filling through the afternoon. Use the faster recipes for hungry guests early, then let the slower smoked dishes carry the rest of the cookout.

Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze

Smoked low before the glaze sets, Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze serve 6 with 10 minutes of prep and 1 hour 30 minutes of cook time. Chicken legs get olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper, then finish with red pepper jelly, bourbon, and Sriracha. They fit a long July 4th grill day because drumsticks are easy to pass around. Serve with slaw, corn, or potato salad.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze

Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings

Finished with a buttery coating, Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings serve 6 in 1 hour 5 minutes. Split wings smoke first, then crisp hotter before getting tossed with Parmesan, butter, garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. They work as a main when the afternoon menu needs something people can eat by the piece. Serve with celery, ranch, blue cheese dip, or a cold pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Garlic Parmesan Wings

Smoked Tomahawk Steak

Built around a 2-pound steak, Smoked Tomahawk Steak serves 2 with 20 minutes of prep and 2 hours of cook time. The steak gets Montreal Steak Seasoning, then can be served with lime, shallot, garlic, mustard seeds, olive oil, parsley, cilantro, and red pepper flakes. It fits an all-afternoon cookout as the dramatic sliced beef main. Serve with grilled vegetables, potatoes, or salad.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Tomahawk Steak

Smoked Dry Rubbed Wings

Coated in spices instead of sauce, Smoked Dry Rubbed Wings serve 6 with 10 minutes of prep and 1 hour of cook time. Chicken wings are tossed with olive oil, chili powder, paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, kosher salt, thyme, and smoked hot paprika. They fit the grill-all-afternoon plan because they stay less messy than sauced wings. Serve with ranch, slaw, or cornbread.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Dry Rubbed Wings

Blackstone Smash Burger

Pressed thin on the griddle, Blackstone Smash Burger serves 4 in 15 minutes. Ground beef is seasoned with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, then layered on buns with tomato, lettuce, onion, ketchup, and other toppings. It gives the cookout a fast main while slower smoked recipes keep going. Serve with chips, pickles, corn, or a chilled side salad.
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Smash Burger

Smoked Peach-Chipotle Wings

Glazed after smoking, Smoked Peach-Chipotle Wings serve 4 with 5 minutes of prep and 1 hour of cook time. Chicken wings get salt and pepper, then finish with peach jam, chipotle in adobo, adobo sauce, and apple cider vinegar. The sweet heat gives the afternoon spread a different wing flavor from dry rub or garlic Parmesan. Serve with slaw, celery sticks, or grilled corn.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Peach-Chipotle Wings

Grilled Ribeye Cap Steak

Quick, once the grill is hot, Grilled Ribeye Cap Steak serves 2 with 5 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cook time. Ribeye cap steaks need kosher salt, cracked black pepper, and butter or compound butter before resting. It fits a 4th of July main list because it brings steak without taking over the smoker for hours. Serve sliced with potatoes, salad, or grilled vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Ribeye Cap Steak

Smoked New York Strip Roast

Rubbed with coffee and spices, Smoked New York Strip Roast serves 6 in 1 hour 35 minutes. A 4-pound boneless New York strip roast gets black pepper, brown sugar, instant coffee, ancho chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne before smoking. It gives the holiday menu a sliceable beef main beyond burgers. Serve carved pieces with corn, grilled vegetables, potatoes, or green salad.
Get the Recipe: Smoked New York Strip Roast

Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo

Marinated in a chile sauce, Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo serve 4 in 45 minutes. Sirloin steak, red bell pepper, ancho chile, arbol chiles, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and cumin build the sauce and skewers. They fit an outdoor main because portions are already threaded for serving. Add tortillas, rice, salad, or grilled vegetables to round out the plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Skewers with Mojo Rojo

Bacon-Wrapped Burgers

Wrapped before grilling, Bacon-Wrapped Burgers make 4 burgers in 20 minutes. Burger patties get two slices of bacon each, then go onto buns with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese, ketchup, mustard, and relish. They fit an afternoon grill day because the bacon makes the burger tray feel more planned without a long process. Serve with fries, chips, corn, or potato salad.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Burgers

Smoked Dill Pickle Wings

Brined before smoking, Smoked Dill Pickle Wings serve 4 in 1 hour 10 minutes, not counting brine time. Chicken wings soak in dill pickle brine, then get dried dill, granulated garlic, black pepper, and kosher salt before smoking and crisping hotter. The tangy flavor cuts through richer burgers and steaks on the table. Serve with ranch dip, celery, pickles, or slaw.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Dill Pickle Wings

Blackstone Sausage & Peppers

Cooked in bite-sized pieces on the flat top, Blackstone Sausage & Peppers serve 4 in 20 minutes. Italian sausage, bell peppers, yellow onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, cooking oil, salt, and pepper make the griddle mix. It works as a main because guests can pile it into buns, bowls, or plates. Serve with rolls, rice, pasta salad, or grilled vegetables when the grill space is already claimed.
Get the Recipe: Blackstone Sausage & Peppers

Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce

Tossed in warm sauce after grilling, Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce serve 4 in 20 minutes. Split wings cook over medium-high heat, while Frank’s RedHot Sauce, butter, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, and garlic powder make the sauce. They bring a fast, spicy main to the cookout while the smoker handles slower dishes. Serve with celery, carrot sticks, and blue cheese dip.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce

Easy Grilled Beef Burgers

Mixed with BBQ sauce before shaping, Easy Grilled Beef Burgers make 8 burgers in 27 minutes. Ground beef gets salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and BBQ sauce, then goes onto buns with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. They fit a July 4th main list because one batch feeds a bigger crowd fast. Serve with chips, beans, corn, or slaw.
Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Beef Burgers

Smoked Chicken Al Pastor

Marinated ahead and stacked for smoking, Smoked Chicken Al Pastor serves 8 in 11 hours 10 minutes, including marinating time. Chicken thighs, pineapple, guajillo chiles, garlic, onion, pineapple juice, orange juice, cider vinegar, achiote paste, cumin, oregano, and chipotle powder build the recipe. It fits an all-afternoon holiday menu because the prep starts early and feeds a group. Serve with tortillas, salsa, rice, and lime.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Al Pastor

Grilled Lime-Garlic Chicken Breasts

Marinated before grilling, Grilled Lime-Garlic Chicken Breasts serve 4 in 1 hour 25 minutes, including marinating time. Chicken breasts are soaked with cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, jalapeno, kosher salt, and black pepper. They bring a lighter main besides the burgers, wings, and steaks. Serve sliced with salad, rice, grilled vegetables, tortillas, or sandwich rolls for an easy outdoor plate.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Lime-Garlic Chicken Breasts

Smoked Burgers Recipe With a Reverse Sear

Started low and finished hot, Smoked Burgers Recipe With a Reverse Sear makes 4 burgers in 1 hour and 50 minutes. The recipe uses 80/20 ground beef, kosher salt, black pepper, cheese slices, toasted buns, and burger toppings. It fits the all-afternoon grill theme because the patties smoke before the final sear. Serve with pickles, chips, potato salad, corn, or baked beans.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Burgers Recipe With a Reverse Sear